Oh for the love of babies

I have an announcement to make... I am NOT pregnant! ;)


Not that I wouldn't like to be or anything, but I keep getting those knowing looks anytime I have a complaint of headaches or upset stomach or tiredness. Franks sister Fanny tries to be subtle with her "WHY does your stomach hurt?" and "Why are you so tired?? hmmmm?". Just yesterday I was a bit tired (it was about 11:30 and Frank was still not out of the summer house sauna with his dad and Toffe) so I relaxed on the couch; my hand unconsciously laying on my stomach. Fanny sits beside me and stares for a bit before asking in a hopeful voice "Are you feeling sick? Why are you holding your stomach?" Of course I could be reading too much into it, but I just have to chuckle because my own sister doesn't even try to be subtle. Any time I talk to Victoria one of her first questions is "Are you pregnant yet?!". Oh the joy that babies bring!

I started thinking today of a precious scene I saw this past weekend (that is where I got the topic for this blog post... a bit random, I know). Jonas and Maria recently had their 5th boy, and a darling little guy he is! The amazing and wonderful thing about babies is that every new addition is just as beautiful and cherished as the last. I watched as the eldest of Jonas and Maria reached into the pram and picked up his new brother so tenderly, that one can hardly say that boys are not effected by babies. I witnessed such a look of love  and protectiveness in big brother's eyes when he cradled his baby brother and held him close that it made my eyes get moist and made me see boys in a whole new light. What a great thing it is to have a big brother! What a great thing it is to have a little one :)

I remember in third grade my parents made the announcement that baby number 8 was expected the next Fall. How excitement filled the house! The look on my dad's face when he made the announcement, the grins on my brothers faces, and the content look on my mom's face when she looked around on all of the joy it brought. It was supposed to be a secret from the rest of the world, but that minor detail escaped me somehow. Although I was not told we could tell people the news yet, I also don't remember anyone telling me not to tell! The next day at school I was eager to share the great tidings with my friends and teachers. And since it was Awards Day at school, I also shared it with my friend parents and my aunt and cousins (I guess it wasn't a secret after that!) From every teacher I got the exclamation "Another one?!!" I am sure they didn't understand how baby number 8 could be so exciting, after all it should be old hat to our "humongous" family. Only someone who has grown up in a large family, or is raising one can fathom the great love that multiplies rather than divides! Every new baby is a gift from heaven. Every new baby is there to bring more happiness, laughs, smiles, and love to the entire family. 

On a side note, we did not know what gender baby number 8 was until later, but I prayed and prayed for it to be a little sister (being stuck in the middle of 6 boys made it hard to appreciate brothers at the time!) and please could it perhaps have red hair like me! When Marika was born with a fluff on red on top, I told my mom that she was exactly what I prayed for... And after that I never had an excuse to complain of little sisters and sharing rooms :P "You prayed for her!" is the famous admonishment anytime I complained about little sisters messing in my stuff, and later big little sister taking my clothes and sleeping in my bed while I was away... so, moral of the story is; be careful what you pray for! ;) (Kidding!)